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  #1  
Old 02-11-2005, 10:29 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Dallas Area, TX
Posts: 24
Angry W210 Front Wheel Bearing (or Dealer Rant)

I took my 99 E300 to the dealer for 3rd B service and, among other things, asked him to check noted play in the passenger front wheel. I also had a clunk on low speed bumps. It came back as OK. I took the car home, jacked it up, and rechecked the wheel and could still shake the wheel about 1/8" at the wheel rim. I checked the wheel bearing with a dial indicator and got something around .0005" axial play on the bearings. I couldn't find the source of the problem. I took the car back to the dealer and asked the service writer to re-evaluate the play. I told him that I am open to being convinced it was OK if it is in limits. I don't know what limits may apply but my experience is no perceived play is good. The tech put the car up and agreed it had play and decided it was the bearing. With the service writer we agreed it needed fixed. To cut to the chase this car has Starmark warranty and warranty on this problem was denied. The bearing had not failed in their assessment. They failed to have anyone with warranty authority assess the situation before they started the job. They don't have any book limits on play measured at the wheel rim. The service writer shrugged his shoulders and said I thought you just wanted it fixed and weren't concerned about warranty - Huh?? The service manager finally agreed to eat the labor but still charged me for the parts at $185.00 (the bearings only come as a hub assy). I'm not happy as the bearings were heavily darkened indicating distress and impending failure.
Sorry about the long post and the rant. The general feel from the service personnel was that they totally lack mechanical experience or professionalism- if it is not in the book it is not an issue. I guess the wheels can wobble with abandon as long as bearing axial play is in spec. By the way the clunk is gone.

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Old 02-11-2005, 11:54 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Montreal, Quebec
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Quote:
The service manager finally agreed to eat the labor but still charged me for the parts at $185.00 (the bearings only come as a hub assy).
Unless you have a very special car, the front wheel bearings are available as a kit (2 bearings, one seal) for less than $50.00.
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=mercedesshop&cookieid=1FT0K8ENP1G50PGZ51&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1999&product=K8020-66732&application=000439430
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  #3  
Old 02-11-2005, 12:29 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,084
It is interesting, the Mercedes Club magazine did an interview with a high ranking manager after a few reschedules. The subject of the meeting was "sinking quality" and "loss of customer faith". His statement was that dealers are empowered to do "good will" when required, and the zone rep no longer has to bless it. Be happy you have "starmark" it could be worse. here are member comments
http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.php?t=4719
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Old 02-11-2005, 03:11 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Dallas Area, TX
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As to the cost - I agree the parts cost is way out of line, but I was at the dealer expecting warranty consideration for a defect within the warranty period so I am stuck with using MB dealer supplied parts.

I don't know what to think of Starmark. It doesn't seem to do me much good. I need to carefully read the warranty since I also have a passenger seat with play (it clunks back and forth) and was told warranty would not cover it.

The main take from this experience I can defer to my wife who was standing beside me through all the discussions at the dealer which was that we were treated like second class citizens - like we were idiots. They only ate the labor because they agreed they didn't handle the situation properly. I still ended up with a large bill. Of note was another service writer in the office that added his comments when everyone else was out of earshot. He said he had come from a Pennsylvania dealership and could not believe these kinds of things were happening. He looked at the bearings I had in my hand and said they were obviously going bad but these people lack the professionalism to do the right thing.
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Old 02-11-2005, 07:31 PM
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Location: Carol Stream, Il, USA
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Sorry to hear about your headaches dealing with warranty issues that should have been covered without question.

Issues like yours makes me happy my car is out of warranty and that I can take care of issues like this myself without dealing with arrogant service writers.

I would be concerned that the other wheel bearing is on it way out. Especially since they didn't even offer to inspect it.

I repacked my wheel bearings at 80K when I did a brake job - the grease was still in good condition.

How many miles do you have on your car?
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Old 02-11-2005, 08:59 PM
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Location: Seattle
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Did you see the recent thread "Synthetic oil does indeed cause leaks, aka STARMARK rocks!" His experience was opposite of yours. Maybe you need to go to his dealer! As far as specs on the bearings, the only specs on mine are endplay at the hub. I have quite a bit of "wiggle" on the rim at 12 and 6 O'clock but the endplay is within spec. Not sure if I need new bearings or not. They seem quiet but I don't like the wiggle. Not sure if new ones would be any better. There is no play at 3 and 9 O'clock.

Mike
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  #7  
Old 02-12-2005, 11:27 AM
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allowable wheel play

the key tolerance is play at normal operating temperature. The bearings should have a very slight pre-load at room temperature. And a bearing that has visibly darkened has overheated and should be replaced--under the Starmark warranty no questions asked.
loss of directional control/fatal accident cause' type of failure and should not be taken lightly.

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